Interactive museum exhibit explores art of architecture

Courtesy Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Courtesy Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Local architects have helped the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art put together its first architectural exhibit. The Nelson-Atkins says an advisory task force from Barkley, BNIM, the City of Kansas City, el dorado inc., Generator Studios, Helix Architecture + Design, HNTB, Hufft Projects, Populous, Zahner and the Kansas City Design Center worked with curators to develop the exhibition. The local architects also provided architectural tools, models, and a 3D printer for visitors to view.

Here’s more from the museum:

Jump In! Architecture Workshop, the first self-generated architecture exhibition organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, converts the Project Space in the Bloch Building into an interactive studio. Visitors can experience an overview of architectural concepts through five interactive modules highlighting landscape, community, building type, style and material.  Provocative questions, project examples and activities help develop and expand an understanding of how architecture impacts almost all aspects of everyday life. This interactive exhibition is currently on view in the Great Plains Trust Company Gallery in the Bloch Building.

“The art of architecture begins as an expression of creativity that stretches into almost every aspect of our lives.” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell CEO & Director of the Nelson-Atkins. “This unique exhibition explores a creative concept that will both engage and delight our visitors.”

Visitors can expect an active and dynamic experience that includes more than 2,000 building blocks, touch-screen maps, and tactile walls. An original card game, 5 Card Design!, gives players a set of unusual features and instructs them to design their own structure using the provided prompts. Outcomes can be shared in the gallery space and also through social media outlets via #JumpinArch.

“We are very excited to present Jump In! Architecture Workshop, the first architecture exhibition organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.” said Catherine Futter, Louis L. and Adelaide C. Ward Senior Curator of European Arts. “We have created an exhibition that deconstructs the complex subject of architecture and encourages visitors to explore it hands-on. Through activities and interactive tools we hope to generate interest in the built environment that we experience every day.”

Jump In! Architecture Workshop will be open through July 19, 2015.

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